Curriculum Planning: Stevenson Instrumental Music Program

 

Schedule Planning to Include Band

Students that attend Utica Community Schools, and specifically Stevenson High School, are fortunate to have many different options and learning pathways to explore their interests and prepare for their lives beyond high school.

Band can be part of the curriculum all throughout Junior and High School for all UCS students

We believe strongly in giving students that wish to participate in Instrumental Music the opportunity to do so while also working collaboratively to meet every student's other academic interests and needs. Legislation has made it easier for students exploring music to do so in secondary school by utilizing flexible options as part of their scheduling plan - no matter if they are a traditional student or enrolled in specialty program such as CSI, MST, or Stevenson MADE.

Current schedule options include:

  • Substituting two complete seasons of Marching Band in place of the graduation requirement of ½ credit (one semester) of Physical Education
  • Taking a second full year (two semesters) of an in-school Band Class in place of the graduation requirement of a second full year of World Language
  • Taking a foreign language class in 8th grade to fulfill the graduation requirement of the first full year of World Language. Your Junior High counselor must be notified in advance

Important note: Some, but not all, colleges/universities state that they require two years of the same World Language as a pre-requisite for admission. It is advisable to fully explore the requirements of any college or university you plan on applying to in advance of completing your high school schedules. Many colleges/universities LOVE band students and will work with you on the language requirement during the admission process! Ask!!

Click to download Flex Credit Forms

The schedules that follow are simplified for clarity. For example, many students will have flexibility in which years/semesters they take Economics, Government, Science, and Social Studies classes. Always consult with the your junior high / high school counseling department to ensure you are on track to meet graduation requirements.

 

Option for all Band Students to waive high school Physical Education
  9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
After School Marching Band Marching Band Marching Band Marching Band

 

Two full seasons of Marching Band can be used to substitute the requirement for 1/2 credit (one semester) of physical education (Flex Option).

Students that don't complete the Flex Option requirement through an alternative activity (such as two seasons of Marching Band or organized school sports) must add 1/2 credit (one semester) of Physical Education as one of their electives to the sample schedule outlines that follow:

 

Traditional Students
  9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
1 Math Math Math Math
2 English English English English
3 World History US History World Lang.2 Econ / Gov't
4 Science Science Science Health / elective
5 elective elective elective elective
6 Band1 Band2 Band3 Band3

 

CSI Students
  9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
1 CSI Math CSI Math CSI Math CSI Math
2 CSI English CSI English CSI English CSI English
3 CSI Pathway CSI Pathway CSI Pathway CSI Pathway
4 Science Science Science Health / elective
5 World History US History World Lang.2 Econ / Gov't
6 Band1 Band2 Band3 Band3

 

MST Students4
  9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
1 MST Math MST Math MST Math MST Math
2 MST Science MST Science MST Science MST Science
3 MST Tech MST 2nd Science MST 2nd Science MST Tech
4 English English English English
5 World History US History World Lang.2 Econ / Gov't
6 Band1 Band2 Band3 Band3

 

Stevenson MADE5
  9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
1 MADE Math MADE Math MADE Math MADE 2hr class
2 MADE English MADE English MADE English ---
3 MADE Science MADE Science MADE Science World Lang.2
4 MADE Social Studies MADE Social Studies MADE Social Studies Health/Econ
5 MADE 9 elective MADE 10 elective MADE 11 elective MADE English
6 Band1 Band2 Band3 Band3

 

Schedule Reference Notes:

  1. One full year (two semesters) of band fulfills the Visual, Performance, and Applied Arts requirement
  2. Second full year of band fulfills 2nd Year of World Language requirement (Flex Option)
  3. 3rd and 4th years of bands are electives
  4. Due to the requirements of the MST curriculum, students taking four years of band in 9th – 12th grades must work with the Stevenson Counseling department to establish a Personal Curriculum to fulfill their required 1/2 credit of Health. MST students that do not complete two full seasons of Marching Band must also complete their Physical Education requirement
  5. Similar to students enrolled in CSI or MST, MADE students enrolling in 9th grade will have a pathway to graduation that can include taking a Band class all four years. MADE students first enrolling in 10th grade must make-up their MADE 9 Elective and cannot take band in 10th grade

Download a printable flyer to easily post / share (pdf)

Flex Credit Forms:

Updated  May 26, 2024